Highlights

• BL anime gains popularity worldwide, celebrating the sweet, funny, anxious, and adorable sides of love.
• Unique BL anime like "Cherry Magic" and "Heaven Official's Blessing" offer refreshing takes on the genre.
• From romance to mystery, BL anime like "Doukyusei" and "No.6" explore love in diverse settings with likable protagonists.

It's difficult to overstate the popularity of "boys love" (BL) manga and anime in Japan. Romance is one of the most popular genres of storytelling in any medium, and BL is just another manifestation of that. No surprise, it's now popular throughout the world.

The genre adopts many classic elements of romantic comedies, from meet-cutes to misunderstandings. The popular series Sasaki and Miyano doubles down by letting Miyano introduce Sasaki to BL, sharing his passion for a fandom that's all about passion. The sweet, the funny, the anxious, and the adorable unite in this anime all about the many possibilities of love. For those that haven't got their fill, here are some other great BL anime.

Updated April 13, 2024, by Mark Sammut:Boys' love anime are rare, so any new arrival is a cause for celebration. Winter 2024's Cherry Magic was a surprisingly introspective romance, and Spring 2024 has another fascinating BL anime in its ranks. While not necessarily all that similar to Sasaki and Miyano, fans of the latter should check out this airing show.

17 Spring 2024: Welcome Home

A Progressive Romance About Family

As Welcome Home has only just started airing as part of the Spring 2024 anime season, it is still too early to warrant more than a cautious recommendation. That said, the first episode was good, and Ichi Ichikawa's manga is generally considered great.

Fusion Product's Omegaverse Project has been around since 2015, and the franchise consists of yaoi stories set in a world where some men are "omegas," which means they can give birth. Although not crossing into anime until Spring 2024, the project has been relatively successful in the manga industry, producing over 40 stories during the last decade. While a few of these releases lean into erotica, the Omegaverse seems to try to cover a fairly wide net, with most stories being slice of life comedies. Obviously, a fondness of yaoi is required to jump into his universe.

Welcome Home should serve as a good introduction to the Omegaverse, especially since the manga is considered to be among the project's high points. The story primarily revolves around Hiromu and Masaki, a couple who are raising their child, the adorable Hikari. As an omega, Masaki is familiar with discrimination, and these experiences have chipped away at his confidence. While he has a cute and supportive relationship with Hiromu, Masaki cannot help but feel inadequate at times, although he tries to push through these moments for the sake of his partner and their son.

Welcome Home will likely introduce a few more couples in the coming weeks, which should make for an interesting watch. Hopefully, the anime will dive a bit deeper into its world's society sooner rather than later, as the first episode did not do a great job of explaining omegas.

16 Junjo Romantica

Popular Albeit Controversial

Junjo Romantica has proven controversial among anime fans, with many deriding its characters and plotting, while others argue that it is a classic of the genre and worth watching on its own merits. It is inarguably divisive. What it brings to the table, however, is an anthology structure, a strong balance between humor and romance, a strong dose of eroticism, and a memorable (if problematic) plot.

While its protagonists can be even more infuriating than Goku when he forgets something important,Junjo Romantica is still a BL anime of which some fans will never stop singing the praises.

15 Dakaichi -I'm Being Harassed By The Sexiest Man Of The Year-

Relationship Grows As Anime Progresses

Sasaki and Miyano is supremely wholesome, which is something that is not all that common for BL anime. The genre is known for its less-than-family-friendly tropes, and Dakaichi does contain a few of these elements. Takato is a famous actor who has been repeatedly labeled as the sexiest man alive; however, he finally loses the top spot to a newcomer named Junta. The two performers wind up on a film together, and long story short, Junta manipulates Takato into a relationship.

The pair's initial BL encounter is fairly uncomfortable as there is clear reluctance from Takato, but their dynamic improves as the anime moves along. The leads have good banter and chemistry, and their partnership eventually becomes engaging. It is also neat to see a BL anime that focuses on two adults, even if there is still a substantial age difference.

14 Hitorijime My Hero

Taboo But Safe

If someone is interested in fully exploring boys love anime, they need to know that a lot of shows deal with taboo relationships. In many ways, Hitorijime My Hero serves as a litmus test for someone's tolerance for these dynamics since the anime covers quite a few divisive yaoi tropes while still playing it safe by the genre's standards. A timid teenager, Masahiro yearns for a hero, and he finds his savior in the form of Kousuke, a high school teacher.

Naturally, Masahiro develops feelings for his sensei, but Kousuke is not sure whether to commit to the younger protagonist or not. The story also follows Kensuke and Hasekura, two students who are a couple. Hitorijime My Hero does a decent job of exploring its characters' backstories and why they are attracted to their specific relationships. While not devoid of melodrama, the romance anime incorporates plenty of humor as well.

13 Gakuen Handsome

BL Parody

Yaoi anime are already rare, and that goes triple for parodies of the genre. Gakuen Handsome has hideous art, detestable love interests, and the blandest protagonist imaginable; more importantly, all these things are intentional. Consisting of short three-minute episodes, the hilarious anime pokes fun at some of the more polarizing aspects of boys love stories, particularly older shows like Junjo Romantica and Gravitation​​​​​​.

Due to its nature, Gakuen Handsome should not be someone's next BL anime after Sasaki and Miyano since the latter does not contain many of the tropes mocked by the 2016 series. Although enjoyable enough without context, Gakuen Handsome improves significantly if a viewer knows their yaoi.

12 Sukisho!

Nothing But Romance

Sukisho centers around the relationship between boys at an all-boys boarding school. Its attractive animation is one of the first things to hook most viewers. As for its plot, it will be too much fluff for some, with several episodes in its 13-episode run that could be considered filler. In many ways, Sukisho is an archetypical BL anime: heavy on romance and light on deeper themes.

The anime just focuses on the developing connection between two young men. Toss in some fan service and youthful high jinks and one has the makings of a solid if simple BL series.

11 Love Stage!!

Strong Core Relationship

Stylish, with well-rounded characters and a plot that hits on most of the staples of the genre, Love Stage is the story of Izumi, a college student who is also an aspiring manga writer. His mother is an actress, his father a director, and his brother the lead vocalist for a band, meaning Izumi has big shoes to fill creatively.

Complicating things is Ryoma, a man two years older than Izumi, who fell in love with the protagonist years ago, mistaking him for a girl thanks to his small figure. Ryoma retains his feelings even after discovering Izumi's true gender, however, allowing the embers of romance that were kindled years ago to reunite. Neither is sure where their new relationship is leading, but discovering the answer to that question is exactly what makes Love Stage captivating for the audience.

10 Heaven Official's Blessing

Romance Is One Part Of An Epic Whole

A Chinese donghua anime, Heaven Official's Blessing takes the idea of divine love seriously. So seriously, in fact, its protagonist is literally divine: Xie Lian was a once-mighty god. Now reduced to a fraction of his former glory, Xie meets Hua Cheng in heaven, a divine entity even more frightfully powerful than himself.

The romance between Xie and Hua is elegant. It unfolds gradually, and because it plays out against a backdrop of mystery, religion, and myth, it never feels the tremendous pressure to carry the entire story as romance does in many BL anime. Instead, the love between the gods feels natural, which makes it a whole different kind of divine.

9 No.6

Fun Setting, Likable Protagonists

No matter the time or place, whether deep in Earth's past, the far-flung reaches of outer space, or a medieval fantasy world where dragons and sorcerers rule the day, love more or less always looks like love. No.6 is a near-future sci-fi story about two young men in a dystopian world.

The series succeeds in giving viewers three-dimensional characters in a three-dimensional setting. It isn't perfect by any means, but the richness of its animation and artwork lends an extra layer of great on top of an already good manga. It might not have the humor of Sasaki and Miyano, but it lacks little else.

8 Spiritpact

Charming Banter

Another series that falls short of perfection but has a great deal to offer fans of Sasaki And Miyano,Spiritpact is about Tanmoku, an exorcist, and Keika, the victim of a freak accident that took his life. Two men, one dead, could have been the end of it.

Instead, Tanmoku offers Keika the opportunity to carry on as Tanmoku's spirit shadow, allowing Keika to maintain his bond to the real world, even if he isn't an ordinary human being. The interesting plot and supernatural hijinks are fun, but what is likeliest to keep viewers watching is the banter between Tanmoku and Keika, two men who, for obvious reasons, have a lot to say to one another.

7 Beryl And Sapphire

Unique BL Anime

How much can this anime realistically accomplish in eight minutes? More than most anime can accomplish in 20, it turns out. Despite its short runtime, Beryl and Sapphire takes BL fans on a journey unlike any other in the genre. It manages this by re-framing the story every single time, casting Beryl and Sapphire in new roles, even as the story of their lives and romance presses ever forward

Intersecting storylines and shifting settings make Beryl and Sapphire difficult to describe, but captivating. There simply isn't another BL anime like it, and Sasaki and Miyano fans shouldn't miss it.

6 Cherry Magic! Thirty Years Of Virginity Can Make You A Wizard?!

BL With A Supernatural Element

A Winter 2024 anime, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! is one of those shows some people might outright dismiss due to its peculiar title. On paper, it almost sounds like a parody of boys' love anime, which is not the case. Although not devoid of humor, Cherry Magic is a refreshingly earnest attempt to tell a cute story that just happens to feature a supernatural element. The "cherry" in question, Adachi celebrated his 30th birthday by acquiring telepathy, although the ability only activates through direct contact. For the most part, this skill has been nothing but a headache for Adachi, but his life takes a strange turn when he learns that his coworker, the popular Kurosawa, is interested in him.

Kurosawa is seen as something of a stud at the office, coming across as charismatic and confident; however, he has plenty of hidden insecurities, which he accidentally reveals to Adachi. Without this insight into the character, Kurosawa's steps to impress Adachi might come across as aggressive; in reality, they are just somewhat desperate attempts to connect with someone Kurosawa cares deeply about. Adachi is a fascinating character in his own right, and he is also struggling with his own sexuality and desires.

5 The Stranger By The Shore

Heartwarming Movie About Self-Discovery

It's discouraging and misleading when the only depiction of a community is of the suffering it faces, but it's worse for media to ignore the very real suffering that does occur. Shun Hashimoto dreams of an author's life, only for his parents to abandon him for being gay. With this simple premise, Umibe no Etranger places itself on the side of painful realism, but the anime doesn't dwell unnecessarily on the negative.

To that end, Shun soon meets Mio Chibana, an orphaned high schooler in Okinawa. The bond they develop is soon tested, but their struggles are painted with a compassionate brush. Umibe no Etranger looks at the good and bad of love alike.

4 Doukyusei: Classmates

BL At Its Finest

While there's nothing wrong with elaborate world-building, complicated plots, and twists at every turn, there's something undeniably satisfying about a simple tale well told. Doukyusei: Classmates is a story about two classmates in love.

Rihito and Hikaru are both in the school's chorus. Rihito is an introverted honor student, while Hikaru an academically struggling extrovert. Hikaru offers to help Rihito with his vocals, and romance ensues. The simplicity of the story, far from being a drawback, is part of the appeal. Sometimes BL anime should just be about boys in love. Here it is.

3 Yuri!!! On Ice

Most Famous BL Anime

When one thinks of sports anime, what often comes to mind are titles like Prince of Tennis, All Out, Ace of Diamonds, and Kuroko's Basketball. Baseball, football, and basketball might arise in the imagination. Male competitive ice skating probably doesn't.

That changes with Yuri!!! On Ice. This series does what all good sports anime should, which is to tell a story so compelling that it draws viewers in even if they aren't fans of the sport. Yuri!!! on Ice is a brilliant BL anime as well, with a wide and engaging cast of characters, sharp dialogue, and solid twists. Whether one watches for the triple Axels or the hand-holding, this series exceeds expectations.

2 Banana Fish

Dark, Grim Seinen Anime With BL Elements

Every genre has its progenitors: the titles that helped define and popularize it, giving shape to stories and characters for decades to come. For BL anime, Banana Fish is one of those progenitors. Based on the 80s manga by Akimi Yoshida, Banana Fish is about New York gang leader Ash Lynx and his investigation into the drug that led to his brother's murder.

As the investigation gets underway, Ash meets Eiji Nakamura, and the two soon fall in love. The anime adaptation is as emotionally punishing as the original manga, and there's no denying that Banana Fish is close to BL perfection.

Please note, Banana Fish is far darker than Sasaki and Miyano.

1 Given

Challenging But Rewarding

Music touches the spirit uniquely, perhaps one reason that music anime is so beloved. Given is both a BL anime and music anime, following the story of high school students Mafuyu Sato and Ritsuka Uenoyama. The latter helps the former tune and play his guitar, unaware that it belonged to Mafuyu's first love. Mafuyu joins Ritsuka's band soon after.

Given is emotionally tough, unafraid of throwing viewers into the deep end of their feelings. Yet probing heavy themes is always done in the name of enriching the romantic plot between the two, and Given flourishes exactly because it's willing to use the dark to illuminate the light.